Silver halide photographic material

Abstract

A silver halide photographic material containing a methine compound containing a thiohydantoin ring substituted by a pyrazinyl group at the 3-position, which has high sensitivity, high reproducibility, good storage stability, and leaves hardly color on unexposed areas after being processed. Example General formula: ##STR1## wherein Z represents a group of atoms necessary to form a five- or six-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring; R 1 represents an alkyl group; R 2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group; R 3 represents a pyrazinyl group; L 1 and L 2 each represents a methine group; and n represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 3.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A silver halide photographic material comprising at least one of compounds represented by general formula (I): ##STR104## wherein Z represents a group of atoms necessary to form a five- or six-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring; R 1  represents an alkyl group; R 2  represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group; R 3  represents a pyrazinyl group; L 1  and L 2  each represents a methine group; and n represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 3. 
     
     
       2. A silver halide photographic material as claimed in claim 1, wherein in general formula (I), n is 0, 1 or 2. 
     
     
       3. A silver halide photographic material as claimed in claim 2, wherein in general formula (I), Z forms a benzoxazole nucleus. 
     
     
       4. A silver halide photographic material as claimed in claim 3, wherein in general formula (I), R 1  is a sulfoalkyl group and R 2  is a hydroxyalkoxyalkyl group or a hydroxyalkyl group. 
     
     
       5. A silver halide photographic material as claimed in claim 4, wherein in general formula (I), R 3  is an unsubstituted pyrazinyl group or a 5-methylpyrazinyl group.